On Monday evening, members of the Isle of Wight council’s planning sub-committee rejected an application for five wind turbines on land south of Wellow.
News reaches VB today that Infinergy, the company behind the proposals will be lodging an appeal against the decision with the Planning Inspectorate.
Island Plan has ambitious targets
Esbjorn Wilmar, Managing Director of Infinergy said: “Isle of Wight Councillors missed a huge opportunity today to show leadership and make a considerable contribution to local renewable energy production.
“The Island is lagging woefully behind on renewables compared to other Counties, despite ambitious targets in their newly adopted Island Plan, a viable but unharnessed wind resource and the resolve to become an energy self-sufficient Eco Island.”
Onshore wind has to be part of the mix
Mr Wilmar continued, “We are totally confused that so many people support what we are trying to do and when it comes to the crunch, the Planning Board responds to emotive claims and adopts a cautionary approach. If Eco Island is to be realised, large scale onshore wind has to be part of the mix, it cannot be done without a number of wind turbines.
“We remain convinced this is a good proposal which has the support of many local people, as well as most professional bodies. We will appeal this decision and we are confident that a different outcome will do us justice.”
Image: Adulau under CC BY-SA 2.0
